July 8, 2012

So, a day after returning from vacation we hosted our Annual Fourth of July barbecue.  Let me tell you, this is something I will truly miss--not living in this neighborhood.  They go all out for the Fourth of July!  It all starts that morning with a parade.  We hang out with neighbors on the opposite corner to watch the festivities.

It is a large, fun group and we do have permission to keep on coming even after we move--but it just won't be the same-- feeling the excitement and energy the morning of the 4th always brings.

This is our corner and these are some of the people we will miss. . .a lot.

There was one particular lull in the parade that we didn't mind at all--you see, that man who serves for this country right there?  That is Benjamin.  I used to babysit him.  Shocking, I know!

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I also know that most of these shots center around Nessa.  But this year her alertness and attention to the parade was as much fun to watch as the parade itself!  She had so much fun and candy, that I had to remember this year as the year she really experienced her first Fourth of July--our city style.

Later in the day, the neighborhood kids got creative and decided to run a lemonade stand directly across from the carnival that was taking place.  Great business tactic--they hit up every single person who exited the carnival and made a ton of money!  E teased he was going to have to be their bodyguard to protect their assets.

We won't mention the fact that the water slide we ordered, never showed up.  Nor will we recount the fact that the man stopped taking our calls and just kept sending us to voicemail.  We did not allow that to ruin our good day, besides it actually wasn't that hot this year, surprisingly.
Back at the house, the barbecue with the family was in full swing. . .

Simple does it: nachos and hot dogs for all.  No one complained and everyone brought something to share.  Perfection!  Later we walked across the street to the park--along with about five hundred other people.  It's amazing how this event has grown over the years--it is HUGE now and fun and free!!!!

And, because I almost forgot after the parade to snap our annual Fourth of July picture. . .I can not forget to include it now.

There we have it--our last 4th of July in this house.  At the end of the evening after most of the family was gone. . .E cleaned up the back and we sat out there with my brother and soon to be sister in law, who are in escrow on their first house and we reminisced and dreamed out loud of our futures.  It was a fabulous end to an already full day rich with memories of how we celebrate our independence.